PAS is not disappointed despite failing to win a single seat in the Johor state election, saying it is grateful the state remains under Malay-Muslim leadership through Barisan Nasional (BN).
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party deliberately instructed its members to back BN candidates in constituencies it did not contest to ensure Malay-Muslim political leadership remained intact in Johor.
“Alhamdulillah, Johor is safe. It does not matter that we did not win a single seat because we chose the path of islah (reform),” he said.
Hadi said PAS supporters were even told to vote for BN candidates, including those from MCA, in seats where the party did not field candidates.
He stressed that PAS entered the Johor state election not to lead the state government but to safeguard Malay leadership, arguing that too many Malay-based parties contesting the same seats would split the Malay vote.
“PAS cannot take over Johor because UMNO has already won the state. But if too many Malay parties contest, it will divide the Malay electorate,” he said.
However, the Marang MP cautioned BN against becoming complacent following its landslide victory, warning that the coalition “will not remain strong forever.”
BN secured a commanding two-thirds majority in the Johor state election, winning 48 of the 56 seats contested, while PAS failed to secure any seats.
